All-Star Game Starters Announced (Pujols and Jeter Top Vote Getters)

by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 5, 2009 1:50 PM EDT

The All-Star game starters have been announced, and as usually their are a few surprises. Here is a list of the complete rosters.

Here are some early thoughts on the rosters.

American League-

Josh Hamilton no disrespect but you have no business being there. I'll be excited if you're in the home run derby, but that's about all you deserve.

Mark Teixeira- I said about a week ago I thought Tex would edge out Youk, and in the end and it looks like I was right. I don't have a problem with this decision either way, their both great ballplayers.

Derek Jeter- Top vote getter. Do you need anymore proof that this is a popularity contest.

Joe Mauer- Probably should have been the top vote getter.

Dustin Pedoria- No problem here, just somewhat surprising, seemed like Kinsler was leading from Day one, guess he ran out of time.

And just a side note congratulations to Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox, much deserved all-star spot.

National League-

Albert Pujols- Enough said! Hometown hero, and unquestionably the best hitter in the game today.

Raul Ibanez- Career year, clearly deserving.

David Wright- Down year in terms of power, but still batting well over .300. Has been the one constant for the Mets this year.

Yadier Molina- By default. Hometown vote, benefits from a weak catching group in the NL.

That's about it at first glance. We'll have some more detailed thoughts on this throughout the day. However, we would love to hear from you the fans. What are your early thoughts on the all-star rosters? Who was left out? Who shouldn't be there? Comment away!

AL STARTERS
STARTERS
Position	Player	Team
C	Joe Mauer	Twins
1B	Mark Teixeira	Yankees
2B	Dustin Pedroia	Red Sox
SS	Derek Jeter	Yankees
3B	Evan Longoria	Rays
OF	Ichiro Suzuki	Mariners
OF	Jason Bay	Red Sox
OF	*Josh Hamilton	Rangers

NL STARTERS
STARTERS
Position	Player	Team
C	Yadier Molina	Cardinals
1B	Albert Pujols	Cardinals
2B	Chase Utley	Phillies
SS	Hanley Ramirez	Marlins
3B	David Wright	Mets
OF	Ryan Braun	Brewers
OF	*Raul Ibanez	Phillies
OF	*Carlos Beltran	Mets

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Comments

Sandoval got hosed. Pure and simple. The argument going in was if he should start or not. And now he is off the team? That is ridiculous. Sandoval deserves a spot on the NL roster.

by Michael Uhlhorn on Jul 5, 2009 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

this x 1,000,000

"Why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just three feet higher?" / Adopted brother of the AnVil

by SoFa King Mike on Jul 5, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Sandoval>Howard, pure and simple, even from a hitting standpoint.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Jul 5, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

But they needed more first basemen

Pujols, Fielder and Gonzalez aren’t enough. First base is a very taxing position, you can’t ask those guys to go more than three innings each.

Seriously though, Howard being on the team is a joke.

"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."

by Evan_S on Jul 6, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Again, even if you need another NL 1B

Reynolds and Berkman would be better choices, for sure. It’s inane.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Jul 6, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Howard being on there is pathetic.

Why do you need FOUR 1Bs? That could have easily been the spot where more deserving players like Sandoval or Phillips made the roster, but you gave it to another first baseman? And even if you wanted a FOURTH 1B, at least have the decency to pick Mark Reynolds or Lance Berkman, who are actually having good years.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Jul 5, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions

Fair Point

It’s so confusing assessing the rosters. It’s impossible to tell whether they are putting the “best” team out there or they are putting the most recognizable names. If the game was solely used as a promotional tool for MLB, I wouldn’t have a problem bypassing certainly players for the bigger names, however, if MLB wants’ to determine home field for the WS with this exhibition game then they should be putting the best performing players out there. In the case of Ryan Howard I would agree, he probably shouldn’t be on the roster. I wish we knew more about how the selection process goes down. They claim the coaches select the players, but I’m sure they have little birdies (i.e. Bud Selig) all around putting their two cents in.

by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 5, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions